Baja Jerky was founded in 2018 by two friends, Brenton Hatch and Bryan Schafer, who was inspired by the flavors and culture of Baja California, Mexico. They wanted to create a snack that was not only delicious but also made with simple, wholesome ingredients. They are explorers, adventurers, and out-of-the-box creators that believe in shattering limits and embracing whatever journey lies ahead. They created Baja Vida to share their sense of wonder for magical places, incredible experiences, and one-of-a-kind flavors that excite the senses and feed our craving for adventure.
All Baja Vida products were thoughtfully made with quality in mind. Their Michelin-star chef crafted their snacks and seasonings, pushing boundaries with bold, Baja-inspired flavors created with only authentic, preservative-free ingredients. Chef Brandon captures the authentic flavors of Baja that excite your palate and keep you coming back for more using fresh ingredients and unique spice blends. This Baja Jerky brand is distributed under the same name as Baja Jerky, and it is located in Buena Park, California. This Baja Jerky brand is manufactured by the private label company Boyd Specialties, located in Colton, California.
The next review on Baja Jerky will focus on a 2.5 ounce/71 gram bag of Traditional flavored beef jerky. This flavor is described as a tender, smoky classic beef jerky that delivers on taste and nutrition. The bag was purchased at Ollie’s discount store located in Niagara Falls, New York.
Ingredient Review
Ingredients: Beef, Tamari Sauce (Water, Soybeans, Salt, Sugar), Water, Brown Sugar, Liquid Hickory Smoke, Worcestershire Sauce (Distilled White Vinegar, Molasses, Sugar, Water, Salt, Onions, Anchovies, Garlic, Cloves, Tamarind Extract, Natural Flavorings, Chili Pepper Extract), Lemon Juice, Granulated Garlic, Ground Pepper, Turmeric, Tamarind, Cardamom, Avocado Powder. Allergen Warnings: Soy, Anchovies
The beef used is ethically raised, meaning it is guaranteed to be free of growth hormones and additional antibiotics. The cattle are not guaranteed to have free range access to roam about and graze on grass the way nature intended. Their beef is always 100% feedlot/CAFO free. As a result, the highest ingredient rating that can be awarded is a Very Good (9/10) rating.
The liquid marinade consists of a good brand of gluten free tamari sauce, water, liquid hickory smoke, healthy lemon juice, and a respected brand of Worcestershire sauce.
Some healthy ingredients added are granulated garlic, black pepper, turmeric, cardamom, and avocado powder.
The sugar level is excellent at 1 gram of sugar per 28 grams of jerky. The salt level is low at 200mg of salt per 28 grams of jerky.
This jerky does qualify to have no sodium nitrite or any other similar unhealthy preservatives. Admirably, this flavor does qualify to have no MSG added.
Very Good (9/10) – Ingredient Rating
Taste Review
BAJA JERKY – TRADITIONAL BEEF JERKY
Written by guest jerky reviewer Paul Rekker
When I open the bag I am smelling only soy. The pieces are small in size and they are thin. The texture is rather soft. I would have hoped for a more rigid jerky experience.
When I bite into the jerky, I immediately encounter sweet at a level I feel is too intense. To a lesser degree, I am also detecting salt, pepper, garlic, and a strange tang. Is it soy/vinegar?
This tang is rather interesting. It is a cut above the rest. While I am not blown away by this flavor, it is a good taste experience. An 8/10, I believe, would be an appropriate assessment of this jerky. Gentlemen?
Written by guest jerky reviewer Stéphane Leclerc
The Baja Jerky – Traditional Beef Jerky is one jerky of these jerky that requires a second take. I took my first bite, and the sweetness felt a bit much. I kept an open mind and tried it again later; it wasn’t so bad the second time, and I could focus better on the other flavors. I discovered the fullness and richness of this jerky; the smokiness and soy are on par. I also really enjoy the aroma and texture of this jerky.
In conclusion, this Baja Jerky – Traditional Beef Jerky feels a bit sweet at first, and given a chance, this flavor quickly grows on you. This flavor profile is very pleasant, it is rich, tasty, and it feels balanced enough to rate this very flavorful little gem a favorable 9/10 Taste Rating.
Here is what Mark had to say about this Traditional beef jerky flavor from Baja Jerky: “Thanks Paul and Stéphane for the honest taste reviews. I concur with both of your assessments that the flavor is quite sweet, despite being marketed as a level 1 on the sweetness scale, whose maximum value is unclear. Although not excessively sweet in taste, the act of chewing produces a sweet sensation.”
“I am confident that the beef used was brisket, which is renowned for its ability to absorb marinades and tenderness. The tanginess Paul identified is likely due to the tamari soy sauce and lemon juice. Similarly, I agree with Stéphane that the taste profile is well-balanced and has a certain addictive quality. While there is no particular “wow” factor, the flavor is still quite good. Considering Stéphane’s rating of 9 and Paul’s and my rating of 8, I would give it a solid Good (8/10) taste rating.”
This 2.5 ounce/72 gram bag of jerky sells for $2.99, which equates to $1.20 an ounce. That rates at a dirt cheap cheap price. The bag design has since been changed, which explains why Baja Jerky is sold at discount stores.
Bag Review
This resealable plastic bag has everything imprinted on the bag, both on the front and back. The front has a picture of a cow’s head wearing sunglasses. On the back are pictures of men doing various sporting activities and lounging.
Some slogans may be “Fresh. Flavorful. Exciting.”, “Flavors For Every Experience In Life”, and “Smoky. Smooth With a Smile!” Some facts printed on this bag are “Smoke Flavor Added”, “No Added MSG”, “10G Protein Per Serving”, “Swwet 1”, “Heat 2”. “Gluten Free”, “No Nitrates or Nitrates Added”, “Beef Used Has No Added Hormones”, “Minimally Processed, No Artificial Ingredients”, “Caution: When Consumed, Often Results In Roundhouse Kicks And Uppercut Swings!”, and “Beef Used Is All Natural Beef”.
The only missing bag category is a transparent window to view the jerky. A good blurb about Baja Jerky is printed on the back. To the credit of Baja Jerky, a toll-free phone is provided for customer inquiries.
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